For the most part, Bindi Irwin is transparent. The “Wildlife Warrior” and her husband Chandler have even started making little films in which they respond to queries from their followers.
Bindi initially found it difficult to make something so private about her fight with endometriosis public.
She quickly realized, though, that she needed to speak up in the hopes that other women wouldn’t have to endure the same suffering in quiet as she had.
Bindi opened up about her ten-year battle with endometriosis on March 8, 2023.
It’s now been 18 months since she, “terrified”, hit post. And in a new interview with 9Honey, she reflects on that decision, saying, “At the end of the day, sharing my story with endometriosis felt so important to me that it outweighed my worry.”
“There is still a long, long way to go,” she acknowledges further.
“I feel like I’m still building back up to the person I was before endo took away so much.”
Even after everything she’s been through, well-meaning admirers still ask her if she plans to have more kids. Bindi explains politely that no woman should be asked that, but she also admits that there is another thing that irritates her more.
“There is a very, very big possibility that Grace will have endometriosis, which really does weigh on me,” she fears.
Naturally, the Irwin family is there for one another no matter what. Bindi claimed that when she was at her lowest, her mother Terri’s unwavering love embraced her and her husband Chandler held her hand.
“She was there every step of the way for me, right down to helping me to the bathroom when I could barely walk after surgery,” Bindi says.
“I don’t know what I would do without my incredible mama … I hope I am able to be even half the incredible mama to Grace that my mum is to me.”
Bindi received the Endometriosis Foundation of America’s Blossom Award earlier this year in recognition of her efforts to dispel the stigma associated with the crippling illness.
BINDI IRWIN ENDOMETRIOSIS JOURNEY
Bindi has kept her admirers informed at every stage of her journey by sharing her full adventure with them on Instagram.
Answering her followers’ most frequently asked questions about her struggle with endometriosis and her recovery from surgery, the children’s book author said, “It has been a very long journey and a lot of challenges to get to this point. I’m very thankful to be on the other side of excision surgery and I can officially say that I’m finally feeling better,” she said.
“My life now looks completely different than it did before I had my surgery.”
Bindi went on to elaborate on her symptoms, saying that she had pain “every single day of my life.”
She also disclosed that she didn’t start looking for answers again until after giving birth to her daughter, Grace Warrior.
“What was really hard was Grace not knowing what was wrong with her mum and not knowing what was wrong with me either,” Bindi added.
Because she had been having trouble eating without feeling ill, Bindi also disclosed that she had been diagnosed with IBS.
Bindi also discussed why she decided to have her operation in the United States, stating that Grace’s main source of comfort throughout the procedure was being surrounded by her husband Chandler’s and mother Terri’s family.
Two months after Bindi, the adored daughter of the late Steve Irwin, informed her followers that she had been diagnosed with endometriosis and had undergone surgery to treat it, she provided an update.
The 24-year-old wrote in early March, “Dear Friends, I battled for a long time wondering if I should share this journey with you in such a public space. It came down to the responsibility I feel to share my story for other women who need help.”
“For 10yrs I’ve struggled with insurmountable fatigue, pain & nausea. Trying to remain a positive person & hide the pain has been a very long road. These last 10yrs have included many tests, doctors visits, scans, etc.”
“A doctor told me it was simply something you deal with as a woman & I gave up entirely, trying to function through the pain. I didn’t find answers until a friend @lesliemosier helped set me on a path of regaining my life. I decided to undergo surgery for endometriosis. Going in for surgery was scary but I knew I couldn’t live like I was,” Bindi continued.
Bindi then shared that during the surgery, doctors found “37 lesions, some very deep & difficult to remove, & a chocolate cyst,” and she felt incredibly validated when a doctor asked her while in recovery, “How did you live with this much pain?”
In the announcement post, Bindi continued to express her gratitude to her friends, family, physicians, and nurses for their unwavering support and encouragement.
Bindi shared a picture of herself recuperating in bed with her five million Instagram followers a week after her operation, letting them know she was “healing.”
“I have spent the week reading your kind words and stories of strength through your own experiences with endometriosis. Thank you with all my heart for sharing. I can finally see a new me on the journey towards better health. I can’t wait to be able to focus all my energy on our family and the conservation work we are so passionate about. Sending my love and light your way.”
Chandler Powell, Bindi’s husband, has shared support for his wife during her battle against the disorder, writing on Instagram, “You are the strongest, toughest person I know. I love you and I’m so excited for this new chapter of life ❤️.”
Robert Irwin, Bindi’s younger brother, also praised his sister, “Love you @bindisueirwin ❤️ You are amazing. Not only for your strength battling through this physical and mental turmoil, but also for having the bravery to share your journey with the world to help other women who are suffering. You’re my hero, Bindi! 🙌,” he wrote.
In her last update, Bindi stated she felt like she had “a second chance at life” for the “first time in over ten years” in a video message for the Endometriosis Foundation of America’s Blossom Ball.
”Like my world is opening up again. I am grateful beyond description. I’m going to start crying.”
She recently opened up in August about how hard it was to get this diagnosis and said, “You don’t know what’s wrong with you, and then when people tell you ‘It’s all in your head’ or ‘you’re hormonal’ or ‘just have a cup of tea, lay down,’ you end up feeling so desperately alone because there’s no answers.”
The surgery has been successful after finding 37 cysts on her ovaries and she is slowly recovering and learning to live with endometriosis.
